Asian recipes on the grill

American food on the grill is delish, but Asian specialties on the grill are divine. Instead of the usual dogs, burgers or breasts of chicken, pull out your skewers and put these Asian dishes over the backyard flame.

Asian Grilling Secrets

If you have never cooked with skewers, read How to cook Asian recipes on the grill with skewers. And if cooking Asian recipes on the grill is new to you, here are a few simple tips to ensure grilling success. 1. Manage your flame. Since most Asian rubs, marinades and glazes contain sugar, they can burn easily. Keep your eye on the grill and properly manage the heat to avoid flame ups. Begin the fire at a medium level with hot coals on one side and a few embers on the other side. This will allow you to better control the cooking and temperature. If you are using a gas grill, keep the heat set at medium. 2. Do not overcook. Asian dishes typically have smaller cuts of vegetables and meats. Small pieces of food cook quickly and can easily overcook, so remove food from the grill as soon as the outside is just crisp and the middle is just heated through. 3. Get more marinating surface area. Instead of putting large cuts of beef, poultry or seafood in marinade, cut them into smaller pieces first. More surface area means more flavor. Also, slice cuts in the skin of poultry or fish to allow marinade to soak into the flesh. 4. Layer flavor. Try marinating proteins in a light marinade to infuse the flesh with flavor and then use a thicker finishing sauce, such as a glaze, on the outside of the meats for a bold taste. 5. Don’t lose your food to the flame. For smaller items such as mushrooms or squid, use a mesh basket to keep them from falling through the grill grates.

Asian Recipes on the Grill

Look for Asian ingredients in the Asian or ethnic section at your local supermarket or visit an Asian specialty market.